In January 2003, the Indiana Historical Society acquired the Jack Smith and Daniel R. Weinberg Lincoln collections. Combined with other IHS holdings, these materials create one of the premier Lincoln print collections in the nation. The Faces of Lincoln exhibit is based on the Indiana Historical Society’s extensive collection and initially traveled the state on the Indiana History Train in October of 2004 and 2005.

The Faces of Lincoln traveling exhibit is comprised of three independent parts, each an exhibit unto itself. Borrowers may arrange to borrow all three parts of The Faces of Lincoln at once, or in serial order (one per month for three months), or any combination of two parts at any given time. Those with limited facilities will find borrowing the exhibits in sequence the most satisfying option.

The exhibit includes a copy of The Life of Lincoln compact disk that will enhance the programmatic and educational possibilities for the borrower. The CD includes a 50-minute video that chronicles President Abraham Lincoln’s life from his early years to his assassination and its aftermath. During the video, users are able to stop and examine selected topics in more depth, including conserving primary sources, Lincoln photography, political cartoons, a Civil War time line, the Lincoln family, the first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln’s deathbed, reporting the assassination, and Lincoln as icon.

The Life of Lincoln CD also includes a comprehensive, downloadable teacher’s guide with activities for the classroom. A special feature of the guide is structured activities that use primary source analysis, including Lincoln’s second inaugural address, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Lincoln-Douglas debates. A separate 11-page facilitator’s guide for use with adult groups is also included on the CD.

Borrowers must supply their own equipment to play the CD. To borrow ONLY the CD, see instructions for the Lending Resource Center.

Click on the links below for more information about each of the exhibit parts.

• The Faces of Lincoln: Developing the Image (Part 1)

• The Faces of Lincoln: Creating the Image (Part 2)

• The Faces of Lincoln: Idealizing the Image (Part 3)

Alexander Gardner took this famous photograph just 11 days prior to Lincoln's delivery of the Gettysburg Address.